Anti-casino group rallies in Palmer

In November, Palmer residents will vote on whether or not to accept a host community agreement with Mohegan Sun.

On Friday, Palmer residents in opposition of a casino possibly setting up shop in their town, held signs along Main Street that read "Do you trust the promises?" and "Vote no."

They're referring to plans Mohegan Sun has created to build a billion dollar resort casino in the town.

The residents opposed to those plans have formed a group called Palmer Against Casinos.

"We feel very strongly that Palmer is just not the place for a casino," said resident, Jean Anderson.

"When I heard about a casino being built here, I thought, 'Oh my God, they're going to ruin this town,'" said resident, Charlotte Burns.

These residents said they have concerns with traffic issues and crime if Mohegan receives a license to build on 300 acres next to the Mass Pike.

Mohegan Sun said their project will bring in millions of dollars in revenue for the town along with thousands of jobs.

Their central offices are located along Main St.

Now Palmer Against Casinos have opened a new headquarters a block away located on Central St.

"It's one central location so people can pick up materials, meet, make plans," said resident Nelson Pease.

As the two sides gear up to each get their message out to voters before Palmer votes on the host community agreement with Mohegan, town officials said they welcome discussion from both sides of the isle.

"I realize this is a contested race, they'd get out, they cast their ballots and we figure out how to move Palmer into the 21st century," said Paul Burns, Palmer town councilor.

The host community vote will be held on Nov. 5.

MGM is the other contender hoping to bring a casino to Western Mass through Springfield.

The city already voted to approve their agreement with MGM back in July.